Article having a lotioned topsheet

ABSTRACT

An article containing a liquid pervious topsheet coated with a lotion composition is disclosed. The lotion composition provides a skin benefit and/or reduces the adherence of BM to the skin of the wearer, thereby improving the case of BM clean up. The lotion composition applied to the article in a nonuniform manner, preferably such there are regions on the article&#39;s topsheet that are not coated with lotion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/884,069, filed Jun. 27, 1997 by D. C. Roe etal., now U.S. Pat. No. 6,118,041 which is a continuation application ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/345,159, filed Nov. 28, 1994 by D.C. Roe et al. (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,588 on Jul. 1, 1997).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to absorbent articles such as diapers, trainingpants, adult incontinence devices, and the like. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to absorbent articles having a lotion coatingon the outer surface of the topsheet that is transferable to thewearer's skin by normal contact and wearer motion and/or body heat. Thelotions disclosed in the present invention reduce the adherence of BM tothe skin of the wearer, thereby improving the ease of BM clean up.

BACKGROUND OF THF INVENTION

Many types of disposable absorbent products, such as diapers, areavailable that have a high capacity for absorbing urine. Disposableproducts of this type generally comprise some sort of fluid-permeabletopsheet material, an absorbent core, and a fluid-impermeable backsheetmaterial. Although these types of absorbent structures may be highlyefficient for the absorption of fluids, they cannot absorb bowelmovements (i.e., hereinafter referred to as “BM”). Typically, the BM istrapped between the outer surface of the fluid-permeable topsheet andthe skin of the wearer, much of it adhering to the wearer's skin.

To prevent BM from adhering to the wearer's skin, the caregiver oftenapplies protective or “repellent” products such as vaseline or mineraloil to the buttocks and anal region before placing the absorbent articleon the wearer. This procedure usually involves the caregiver's pouringof the oil or lotion, for example, in one of their hands, rubbing bothhands together to distribute the substance thereon and then wiping thesame on the skin of the infant. To eliminate the need for this wasteful,messy, and easily forgotten procedure, there have been numerous previousattempts to prepare absorbent articles which contain a protective ortherapeutic skin care substance on the topsheet.

One substance that has been applied as a lotion to absorbent products toimpart a soothing, protective coating is mineral oil. Mineral oil (alsoknown as liquid petrolatum) is a mixture of various liquid hydrocarbonsobtained by distilling the high-boiling (i.e., 300°-390° C.) fractionsin petroleum. Mineral oil is liquid at ambient temperatures, e.g.20°-25° C. As a result, mineral oil is relatively fluid and mobile, evenwhen applied to article topsheets.

Because mineral oil is fluid and mobile at ambient temperatures, ittends not to remain localized on the surface of the topsheet, butinstead migrates through the topsheet into the interior of the diaper.Accordingly, relatively high levels of mineral oil need to be applied tothe topsheet to provide the desired therapeutic or protective coatinglotion benefits. This leads not only to increased costs for theselotioned products, but other detrimental effects as well.

One of these detrimental effects is a decrease in the fluid handlingproperties as high levels of mineral oil tend to block the topsheetopenings. Also, as mineral oil migrates to the interior of the article,it tends to act as a hydrophobic additive, thus decreasing theabsorbency of the underlying absorbent core, if one is used. Thisdecrease in absorbency becomes more pronounced as the level of mineraloil applied is increased.

Even without increasing its level, the tendency of mineral oil tomigrate once applied has other detrimental effects. For example, theapplied mineral oil can transfer to, into and through the packaging orwrapper material for the lotioned product. This can create the need forbarrier-type packaging or wrapper films to avoid smearing or otherleakage of mineral oil from the product.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide lotioned absorbentproducts that: (1) have desirable therapeutic or protective coatinglotion benefits (2) do not require relatively high levels of coatingsthat are liquid at room temperature (e.g., mineral oil) (3) do notadversely affect the absorbency of the absorbent product; and (4) do notrequire special wrapping or barrier materials for packaging.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,585,998 to Hayford et al. teaches a disposable babydiaper, an interior liner of which carries an array ofpressure-rupturable capsules containing baby oil. The patent teachesthat it is desirable to break the capsules prior to using the diaper byapplying pressure with such household items as a rolling pin, hand iron,etc. The same principle of pressure-rupturable capsules is used in U.S.Pat. No. 3,464,413 to Goldfarb et al. for making bandages capable ofdelivering a medicinal material to an injury. Articles disclosed by bothpatents have a serious drawback. Namely, unless the capsules areruptured by applying pressure prior to using the diaper or the bandage,the skin-care substance contained in the capsules is either notdelivered at all or is delivered non-uniformly leaving some areas ofskin uncoated.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,896,807 to Buchalter teaches an article impregnated witha solid oil phase of cream formulation which forms a cream upon additionof moisture thereto. A major disadvantage of the article disclosed bythe reference is that transfer of a beneficial substance from theabsorbent substrate to skin is delayed and is only realized when bodyfluids are released.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,489,148 to Duncan et al. teaches a baby diapercomprising a hydrophobic and oleophobic topsheet wherein a portion ofthe topsheet is coated with a discontinuous film of oleaginous material.A major disadvantage of the diapers disclosed in the Duncan et al.reference is that the hydrophobic and oleophobic topsheets are slow inpromoting transfer of urine to the underlying absorbent cores.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide adisposable absorbent article having a hydrophilic topsheet havingsuperior fluid handling properties.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hydrophilicabsorbent article topsheet having a lotion coating on the outer surfaceof the topsheet that is transferable to the wearer's skin and iseffective at producing desired skin benefits and/or reducing theadherence of BM to the skin, thereby improving the ease of BM cleanup.

It is yet a further object of the present invention desirable to providelotioned absorbent articles that: (1) have desirable BM release,cleaning, therapeutic or protective lotion coating benefits (2) do notrequire relatively high levels of mineral oil; (3) do not adverselyaffect the fluid handling properties of the article; and (4) do notrequire special wrapping or barrier materials for packaging.

These and other objects are obtained using the present invention, aswill become readily apparent from a reading of the following disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article having alotion coating on the outer surface of the topsheet that is semisolid orsolid at ambient temperatures (i.e., at 20° C.) and is adapted to betransferred to the wearer's skin, where it acts to reduce the adherenceof BM to the skin of the wearer, thereby improving the ease of BM cleanup.

Briefly, the disposable articles of the present invention comprise.

-   -   A) a liquid impervious backsheet;    -   B) a liquid pervious, hydrophilic topsheet joined to said        backsheet, said topsheet having an inner surface oriented toward        the interior of said article and an outer surface oriented        toward the skin of the wearer when said article is being worn,        wherein at least a portion of said topsheet outer surface        comprises an effective amount of a lotion coating which is        semi-solid or solid at 20° C. and which is partially        transferable to the wearer's skin, said lotion coating        comprising:        -   (i) from about 10 to about 95% of a substantially water free            emollient having a plastic or fluid consistency at 20° C.            and comprising a member selected from the group consisting            of petroleum-based emollients, fatty acid ester emollients,            alkyl ethoxylate emollients, polysiloxane emollients, and            mixtures thereof;        -   (ii) from about 5 to about 90% of an agent capable of            immobilizing said emollient on said outer surface of the            topsheet, said immobilizing agent having a melting point of            at least about 35° C.; and    -   C) an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said        backsheet;    -   wherein the lotion is applied to the liquid pervious topsheet        nonuniformly.

The quantity of lotion coating on a least a portion of the articletopsheets of the present invention preferably ranges from about 0.1mg/in² to about 25 mg/in², more preferably from about 1 mg/in² to about10 mg/in². Lotioned article topsheets according to the present inventionprovide desirable BM cleaning, therapeutic or protective lotion coatingbenefits. Because the emollient is substantially immobilized on thesurface of the topsheet, less lotion composition is needed to impart thedesired skin care benefits. In addition, special barrier or wrappingmaterials are unnecessary in packaging the lotioned products of thepresent invention.

As will be discussed hereinafter, the lotion compositions of the presentinvention preferably have a melting profile such that they arerelatively immobile and localized on the article topsheet at roomtemperature, are transferable to the wearer at body temperature, and yetare not completely liquid under extreme storage conditions.

Importantly, the lotion compositions of the present invention are easilytransferable to the skin by way of normal contact, wearer motion, and/orbody heat. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the lotioncomposition changes the surface energy of the skin, and/or forms a“barrier” reducing the affinity of the skin for BM. The BM, therefore,has a reduced tendency to stick to the skin, and is easier to remove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation illustrating a preferred processfor applying the lotion composition of the present invention to articletopsheets.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation illustrating an alternative processfor applying the lotion composition of the present invention to articletopsheets.

FIG. 3 is an absorbent article in the form of a diaper according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the term “comprising” means that the various components,ingredients, or steps, can be conjointly employed in practicing thepresent invention. Accordingly, the term “comprising” encompasses themore restrictive terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.”

All percentages, ratios and proportions used herein are by weight unlessotherwise specified.

A. Absorbent Article

As used herein, the term “absorbent article” refers to devices whichabsorb and contain body exudates, and more specifically, refers todevices which are placed against the skin of a wearer to absorb andcontain the various exudates discharged from the body. The term“disposable” is used herein to describe absorbent articles which are notintended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbentarticle after a single use. Examples of disposable absorbent articlesinclude feminine hygiene garments such as sanitary napkins andpanti-liners, diapers, incontinence briefs, diaper holders, trainingpants, and the like.

Disposable absorbent articles typically comprise a liquid pervioustopsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet and anabsorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet.Disposable absorbent articles and components thereof, including thetopsheet, backsheet, absorbent core, and any individual layers of thesecomponents, have a body surface and a garment surface. As used herein,“body surface” means that surface of the article or component which isintended to be worn toward or adjacent to the body of the wearer, whilethe “garment surface” is on the opposite side and is intended to be worntoward or placed adjacent to the wearer's body or undergarments when thedisposable absorbent article is worn.

The following description generally discusses the absorbent core,topsheet, and backsheet materials that are useful in disposableabsorbent articles. It is to be understood that this general descriptionapplies to these components of the specific absorbent articles shown inFIG. 3 and further described below, in addition to those of otherdisposable absorbent articles which are generally described herein.

In general, the absorbent core is capable of absorbing or retainingliquids (e.g., menses, urine, and/or other body exudates). The absorbentcore is preferably compressible, conformable, and non-irritating to thewearer's skin. The absorbent core may be manufactured in a wide varietyof sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, oval, hourglass, “T” shaped, dogbone, asymmetric, etc.). In addition to the absorbent composites of thepresent invention, the absorbent core may include any of a wide varietyof liquid-absorbent materials commonly used in absorbent articles, suchas comminuted wood pulp, which is generally referred to as airfelt.Examples of other suitable absorbent materials for use in the absorbentcore include creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers includingcoform; chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosicfibers; synthetic fibers such as crimped polyester fibers; peat moss;tissue including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams;absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials;or any equivalent material or combinations of materials, or mixtures ofthese.

The configuration and construction of the absorbent core may also bevaried (e.g., the absorbent core may have varying caliper zones and/orhave a profile so as to be thicker in the center, hydrophilic gradients;gradients of the absorbent composite of the present invention,superabsorbent gradients; or lower average density and lower averagebasis weight zones, e.g., acquisition zones; or may comprise one or morelayers or structures). The total absorbent capacity of the absorbentcore should, however, be compatible with the design loading and theintended use of the absorbent article. Further, the size and absorbentcapacity of the absorbent core may be varied to accommodate differentuses such as diapers, incontinence pads, pantiliners, regular sanitarynapkins, and overnight sanitary napkins, and to accommodate wearersranging from infants to adults.

The absorbent core can include other absorbent components that are oftenused in absorbent articles, for example, a dusting layer, a wicking oracquisition layer, or a secondary topsheet for increasing the wearer'scomfort.

The topsheet is preferably compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritatingto the wearer's skin. Further, the topsheet is liquid pervious,permitting liquids (e.g., menses and/or urine) to readily penetratethrough its thickness. A suitable topsheet may be manufactured from awide range of materials such as woven and nonwoven materials (e.g., anonwoven web of fibers); polymeric materials such as apertured formedthermoplastic films, apertured plastic films, and hydroformedthermoplastic films; porous foams; reticulated foams; reticulatedthermoplastic films; and thermoplastic scrims. Suitable woven andnonwoven materials can be comprised of natural fibers (e.g., wood orcotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polymeric fibers such aspolyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers) or from a combinationof natural and synthetic fibers. When the topsheet comprises a nonwovenweb, the web may be manufactured by a wide number of known techniques.For example, the web may be spunbonded, carded, wet-laid, melt-blown,hydroentangled, combinations of the above, or the like.

The backsheet is impervious to liquids (e.g., menses and/or urine) andis preferably manufactured from a thin plastic film, although otherflexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. As used herein,the term “flexible” refers to materials which are compliant and willreadily conform to the general shape and contours of the human body. Thebacksheet prevents the exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbentcore from wetting articles which contact the absorbent article such asbedsheets, pants, pajamas and undergarments. The backsheet may thuscomprise a woven or nonwoven material, polymeric films such asthermoplastic films of polyethylene or polypropylene, or compositematerials such as a film-coated nonwoven material. A suitable backsheetis a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils). Exemplary polyethylene films aremanufactured by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under thedesignation P18-1401 and by Tredegar Film Products of Terre Haute, Ind.,under the designation XP-39385. The backsheet is preferably embossedand/or matte finished to provide a more clothlike appearance. Further,the backsheet may permit vapors to escape from the absorbent core (i.e.,the backsheet is breathable) while still preventing exudates frompassing through the backsheet. The size of the backsheet is dictated bythe size of the absorbent core and the exact absorbent article designselected.

The backsheet and the topsheet are positioned adjacent the garmentsurface and the body surface, respectively, of the absorbent core. Theabsorbent core is preferably joined with the topsheet, the backsheet, orboth in any manner as is known by attachment means (not shown in FIG. 3)such as those well known in the art. However, embodiments of the presentinvention are envisioned wherein portions of the entire absorbent coreare unattached to either the topsheet, the backsheet, or both.

For example, the backsheet and/or the topsheet may be secured to theabsorbent core or to each other by a uniform continuous layer ofadhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines,spirals, or spots of adhesive. Adhesives which have been found to besatisfactory are manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn.under the designation HL-1258 or H-2031. The attachment means willpreferably comprise an open pattern network of filaments of adhesive asis disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986, issued to Minetola, et al. onMar. 4, 1986, and which is incorporated herein by reference. Anexemplary attachment means of an open pattern network of filamentscomprises several lines of adhesive filaments swirled into a spiralpattern such as illustrated by the apparatus and method shown in U.S.Pat. No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague, Jr. on Oct. 7, 1975; U.S. Pat. No.4,785,996 issued to Zwieker, et al. on Nov. 22, 1978; and U.S. Pat. No.4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on Jun. 27, 1989. Each of these patents areincorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the attachment meansmay comprise heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamicmechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment means or combinationsof these attachment means as are known in the art.

A preferred disposable absorbent article in which the lotioned topsheetsof the present invention may be used are diapers. As used herein, theterm “diaper” refers to an absorbent article generally worn by infants,and incontinent persons that is worn about the lower torso of thewearer. In other words, the term “diaper” includes infant diapers,training pants, adult incontinence devices, etc.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the diaper 50 of the present invention in itsflat-out, uncontracted state (i.e., with elastic induced contractionpulled out) with portions of the structure being cut-away to moreclearly show the construction of the diaper 50 and with the portion ofthe diaper 50 which faces away from the wearer, the outer surface,oriented towards the viewer. As shown in FIG. 3, the diaper 50preferably comprises a liquid pervious topsheet 520; a liquid imperviousbacksheet 530 joined with the topsheet 520; an absorbent core 540positioned between the topsheet 520 and the backsheet 530, the absorbentcore 540 having a garment facing surface 542, a body facing surface 544,side edges 546, waist edges 548, and ears 549. The diaper 50 preferablyfurther comprises elasticized leg cuffs 550; an elastic waist featuremultiply designated as 560; and a fastening system generally multiplydesignated as 570.

The diaper 50 is shown in FIG. 3 to have an outer surface 52, an innersurface 54 opposed to the outer surface 52, a first waist region 56, asecond waist region 58, and a periphery 51 which is defined by the outeredges of the diaper 50 in which the longitudinal edges are designated 55and the end edges are designated 57. (While the skilled artisan willrecognize that a diaper is usually described in terms of having a pairof waist regions and a crotch region between the waist regions, in thisapplication, for simplicity of terminology, the diaper 50 is describedas having only waist regions including a portion of the diaper whichwould typically be designated as part of the crotch region). The innersurface 54 of the diaper 50 comprises that portion of the diaper 50which is positioned adjacent to the wearer's body during use (i.e., theinner surface 54 generally is formed by at least a portion of thetopsheet 520 and other components that may be joined to the topsheet520). The outer surface 52 comprises that portion of the diaper 50 whichis positioned away from the wearer's body (i.e., the outer surface 52generally is formed by at least a portion of the backsheet 530 and othercomponents that may be joined to the backsheet 530). (As used herein,the portion of the diaper 50 or component thereof which faces the weareris also referred to as the body facing surface. Similarly, the portionfacing away from the wearer is also referred to herein as the garmentfacing surface.) The first waist region 56 and the second waist region58 extend, respectively, from the end edges 57 of the periphery 51 tothe lateral centerline 53 of the diaper 50. FIG. 3 also shows thelongitudinal centerline 59.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the diaper 50 in which thetopsheet 520 and the backsheet 530 have length and width dimensionsgenerally larger than those of the absorbent core 540. The elasticizedleg cuffs 550 and the backsheet 530 extend beyond the edges of theabsorbent core 540 to thereby form the periphery 51 of the diaper 50.

Diapers of the present invention can have a number of well knownconfigurations, with the absorbent cores thereof being adapted to thepresent invention. Exemplary configurations are described generally inU.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 issued to Buell on Jan. 14, 1975; U.S. Pat. No.5,151,092 issued to Buell et al. on Sep. 29, 1992; U.S. Pat. No.5,221,274 issued to Buell et al. on Jun. 22, 1993. Each of these patentsis incorporated herein by reference. Another diaper configuration towhich the present invention can be readily adapted are described inco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/203,456; filed on Feb.28, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference. The absorbent cores ofdiapers described in these patents can be adapted in light of theteachings herein to include the absorbent composite of the presentinvention as an absorbent gelling material described therein.

A topsheet 520 which is particularly suitable for use in the diaper 50,is carded and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled inthe fabrics art. A satisfactory topsheet for the present inventioncomprises staple length polypropylene fibers having a denier of about2.2 As used herein, the term “staple length fibers” refers to thosefibers having a length of at least about 15.9 mm (0.625 inches).Preferably, the topsheet has a basis weight from about 14 to about 25grams per square meter. A suitable topsheet is manufactured by Veratec,Inc., a Division of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Mass. underthe designation P-8.

The topsheet 520 of diaper 50 is preferably made of a hydrophilicmaterial to promote rapid transfer of liquids (e.g., urine) through thetopsheet. If the topsheet is made of a hydrophobic material, at leastthe upper surface of the topsheet is treated to be hydrophilic so thatliquids will transfer through the topsheet more rapidly. This diminishesthe likelihood that body exudates will flow off the topsheet rather thanbeing drawn through the topsheet and being absorbed by the absorbentcore. The topsheet can be rendered hydrophilic by treating it with asurfactant. Suitable methods for treating the topsheet with a surfactantinclude spraying the topsheet material with the surfactant and immersingthe material into the surfactant. A more detailed discussion of such atreatment and hydrophilicity is contained in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,988,344entitled “Absorbent Articles with Multiple Layer Absorbent Layers”issued to Reising, et al on Jan. 29, 1991 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,345entitled “Absorbent Articles with Rapid Acquiring Absorbent Cores”issued to Reising on Jan. 29, 1991, each of which is incorporated byreference herein.

In a preferred embodiment of a diaper as described herein, the backsheet530 has a modified hourglass shape extending beyond the absorbent core aminimum distance of about 1.3 cm to about 6.4 cm (about 0.5 to about 2.5inch) around the entire diaper periphery.

The absorbent core 540 may take on any size or shape that is compatiblewith the diaper 50. One preferred embodiment of the diaper 50 has anasymmetric, modified T-shaped absorbent core 540 having ears in thefirst waist region but a generally rectangular shape in the second waistregion. Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core ofthe present invention that have achieved wide acceptance and commercialsuccess are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678 entitled “High-DensityAbsorbent Structures” issued to Weisman et al. on Sep. 9, 1986; U.S.Pat. No. 4,673,402 entitled “Absorbent Articles With Dual-Layered Cores”issued to Weisman et al. on Jun. 16, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,231entitled “Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layer” issued to Angstadt onDec. 19, 1989; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,735, entitled “High DensityAbsorbent Members Having Lower Density and Lower Basis WeightAcquisition Zones”, issued to Alemany et al. on May 30, 1989. Theabsorbent core may further comprise the dual core system containing anacquisition/distribution core of chemically stiffened fibers positionedover an absorbent storage core as detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,423,entitled “Absorbent Article With Elastic Waist Feature and EnhancedAbsorbency” issued to Alemany et al., on Aug. 10, 1993; and in U.S. Pat.No. 5,147,345, entitled “High Efficiency Absorbent Articles ForIncontinence Management” issued to Young, LaVon and Taylor on Sep. 15,1992. All of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.

In a preferred embodiment, the diaper 50 further comprises elasticizedleg cuffs 550 for providing improved containment of liquids and otherbody exudates; an elastic waist feature 560 that provides improved fitand containment; and a fastening system 570 which forms a side closurewhich maintains the first waist region 56 and the second waist region 58in an overlapping configuration such that lateral tensions aremaintained around the circumference of the diaper to maintain the diaperon the wearer. The diaper 50 may also comprise elasticized side panels(not shown) in the waist regions 56 and 58 to provide an elasticallyextensible feature that provides a more comfortable and contouring fitand more effective application of the diaper 50.

The elasticized leg cuffs 550 can be constructed in a number ofdifferent configurations, including those described in U.S. Pat. No.3,860,003; U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,803, issued to Aziz et al. on Mar. 20,1990; U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,278, issued to Lawson on Sep. 22, 1987; andU.S. Pat. No. 4,795,454, issued to Dragoo on Jan. 3, 1989, each beingincorporated herein by reference.

The elasticized waist feature preferably comprises an elasticizedwaistband (not shown) that may be constructed in a number of differentconfigurations including those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,595issued to Kievit et al. on May 7, 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,364 issuedto Robertson on Jun. 25, 1991; and the above referenced U.S. Pat. No.5,151,092 issued to Buell et al. on Sep. 29, 1992, each of thesereferences being incorporated herein by reference.

The elasticized side panels may be constructed in a number ofconfigurations. Examples of diapers with elasticized side panelspositioned in the ears (ear flaps) of the diaper are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,857,067, issued to Wood, et al. on Aug. 15, 1989; U.S. Pat.No. 4,381,781, issued to Sciaraffa, et al. on May 3, 1983; U.S. Pat. No.4,938,753, issued to Van Gompel, et al. on Jul. 3, 1990; and U.S. Pat.No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell et al. on Sep. 29, 1992; each of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

Exemplary fastening systems 570 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,846,815, issued to Scripps on Jul. 11, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,060,issued to Nestegard on Jan. 16, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,527, issued toBattrell on Aug. 7, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,594, issued to Buell onNov. 19, 1974; U.S. Pat. No. B1 4,662,875, issued to Hirotsu et al. onMay 5, 1987; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell et al. on Sep.29, 1992; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The diaper 50 is preferably applied to a wearer by positioning one ofthe waist regions of the diaper, preferably the second waist region 58,under the wearer's back and drawing the remainder of the diaper betweenthe wearer's legs so that the other waist region, preferably the firstwaist region 56, is positioned across the front of the wearer. Thefastening system is then applied to effect a side closure.

The lotioned topsheets of the present invention are also useful intraining pants. The term “training pants”, as used herein, refers todisposable garments having fixed sides and leg openings. Training pantsare placed in position on the wearer by inserting the wearer's legs intothe leg openings and sliding the training pant into position about thewearer's lower torso. Suitable training pants are disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,246,433, issued to Hasse, et al. on Sep. 21, 1993.

Another disposable absorbent article for which the lotioned topsheets ofthe present invention are useful are incontinence articles. The term“incontinence article” refers to pads, undergarments (pads held in placeby a suspension system of same type, such as a belt, or the like),inserts for absorbent articles, capacity boosters for absorbentarticles, briefs, bed pads, and the like regardless of whether they areworn by adults or other incontinent persons. Suitable incontinencearticles are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,461 issued to Strickland,et al. on Mar. 3, 1981; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,597,760 and 4,597,761 issued toBuell; the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,115; U.S. Pat. No.4,909,802 issued to Ahr, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,860 issued toGipson, et al. on Oct. 23, 1990; and in U.S. patent application Ser. No.07/637,090 filed by Noel, et al. on Jan. 3, 1991 (PCT Publication No. WO92/11830 published on Jul. 23, 1992).

B. Lotion Composition

The lotion compositions of the present invention are solid, or moreoften semisolid, at 20° C., i.e. at ambient temperatures. By “semisolid”is meant that the lotion composition has a rheology typical ofpseudoplastic or plastic fluids. When no shear is applied, the lotioncompositions can have the appearance of a semi-solid but can be made toflow as the shear rate is increased. This is due to the fact that, whilethe lotion composition contains primarily solid components, it alsoincludes some minor liquid components.

The lotion compositions of the present invention are at least semi-solidat room temperature to minimize lotion migration. In addition, thelotion compositions preferably have a final melting point (100% liquid)above potential “stressful” storage conditions that can be greater than45° C. (e.g., warehouse in Arizona, car trunk in Florida, etc.).

Specifically, the lotion compositions of the present invention shouldhave the following melt profile:

Characteristic Preferred Range Most Preferred % liquid at  2-50  3-25room temp. (20° C.) % liquid at 25-95 30-90 body temp. (37° C.) finalmelting point (0° C.) ≧38 ≧45

By being solid or semisolid at ambient temperatures, these lotioncompositions do not have a tendency to flow and migrate into theinterior of the article topsheet to which they are applied. This meansless lotion composition is required for imparting desirable therapeuticor protective coating lotion benefits.

When applied to outer surface of article topsheets, the lotioncompositions of the present invention are transferable to the wearer'sskin by normal contact, wearer motion, and/or body heat. Importantly,the lotions disclosed in the present invention reduce the adherence ofBM to the skin of the wearer, thereby improving the ease of BM clean up.

The article topsheets of the present invention contain an effectiveamount of the lotion composition. As used herein, the term “effectiveamount of a lotion coating” refers to an amount of a particular lotioncomposition which, when applied to a article topsheet, will be effectivein reducing the adherence of BM to the skin of the wearer. Of course,the effective amount of a lotion coating will depend, to a large extent,on the particular lotion composition used.

The lotion compositions of the present invention comprise: (1) anemollient(s); (2) an immobilizing agent(s) for the emollient; (3)optionally a hydrophilic surfactant(s); and (4) other optionalcomponents.

The viscosity of the formulated lotion compositions, includingemollient, immobolizing agent, and optional components should be as highas possible to keep the lotion from flowing into the interior of thearticle. Unfortunately, high viscosities can also lead to lotioncompositions that are difficult to apply without processing problems.Therefore, a balance must be achieved so the viscosities are high enoughto keep the lotion compositions localized on the surface of the articletopsheet, but not so high as to cause processing problems. Suitableviscosities for the lotion compositions will typically range from about5 to about 200 centipoises, preferably from about 15 to about 100centipoises, measured at 60° C.

1. Emollient

The key active ingredient in these lotion compositions is one or moreemollients. As used herein, an emollient is a material that softens,soothes, supples, coats, lubricates, moisturizes, or cleanses the skin.An emollient typically accomplishes several of these objectives such assoothing, moisturizing, and lubricating the skin. For the purposes ofthe present invention, these emollients have either a plastic or fluidconsistency at 20° C., i.e., at ambient temperatures. This particularemollient consistency allows the lotion composition to impart a soft,lubricious, lotion-like feel.

The emollients useful in the present invention are also substantiallyfree of water. By “substantially free of water” is meant that water isnot intentionally added to the emollient. Addition of water to theemollient is not necessary in preparing or using the lotion compositionsof the present invention and could require an additional drying step.However, minor or trace quantities of water in the emollient that arepicked up as a result of, for example, ambient humidity can be toleratedwithout adverse effect. Typically, the emollients used in the presentinvention contain about 5% or less water, preferably about 1% or lesswater, most preferably about 0.5% or less water.

Emollients useful in the present invention can be petroleum-based, fattyacid ester type, alkyl ethoxylate type, fatty acid ester ethoxylates,fatty alcohol type, polysiloxane type, or mixtures of these emollients.Suitable petroleum-based emollients include those hydrocarbons, ormixtures of hydrocarbons, having chain lengths of from 16 to 32 carbonatoms. Petroleum based hydrocarbons having these chain lengths includemineral oil (also known as “liquid petrolatum”) and petrolatum (alsoknown as “mineral wax,” “petroleum jelly” and “mineral jelly”). Mineraloil usually refers to less viscous mixtures of hydrocarbons having from16 to 20 carbon atoms. Petrolatum usually refers to more viscousmixtures of hydrocarbons having from 16 to 32 carbon atoms. Petrolatumand mineral oil are particularly preferred emollients for lotioncompositions of the present invention.

Suitable fatty acid ester type emollients include those derived fromC₁₂-C₂₈ fatty acids, preferably C₁₆-C₂₂ saturated fatty acids, and shortchain (C₁-C₈, preferably C₁-C₃) monohydric alcohols. Representativeexamples of such esters include methyl palmitate, methyl stearate,isopropyl laurate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, ethylhexylpalmitate and mixtures thereof. Suitable fatty acid ester emollients canalso be derived from esters of longer chain fatty alcohols (C₁₂-C₂₈,preferably C₁₂-C₁₆) and shorter chain fatty acids e.g., lactic acid,such as lauryl lactate and cetyl lactate.

Suitable alkyl ethoxylate type emollients include C₁-C₂₂ fatty alcoholethoxylates having an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 2 toabout 30. Preferably, the fatty alcohol ethoxylate emollient is selectedfrom the group consisting of lauryl, cetyl, and stearyl ethoxylates, andmixtures thereof, having an average degree of ethoxylation ranging fromabout 2 to about 23. Representative examples of such alkyl ethoxylatesinclude laureth-3 (a lauryl ethoxylate having an average degree ofethoxylation of 3), laureth-23 (a lauryl ethoxylate having an averagedegree of ethoxylation of 23), ceteth-10 (a cetyl alcohol ethoxylatehaving an average degree of ethoxylation of 10) and steareth-10 (astearyl alcohol ethoxylate having an average degree of ethoxylation of10). These alkyl ethoxylate emollients are typically used in combinationwith the petroleum-based emollients, such as petrolatum, at a weightratio of alkyl ethoxylate emollient to petroleum-based emollient of fromabout 1:1 to about 1:5, preferably from about 1:2 to about 1:4.

Suitable fatty alcohol type emollients include C₁₂-C₂₂ fatty alcohols,preferably C₁₆-C₁₈ fatty alcohols. Representative examples include cetylalcohol and stearyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof. These fatty alcoholemollients are typically used in combination with the petroleum-basedemollients, such as petrolatum, at a weight ratio of fatty alcoholemollient to petroleum-based emollient of from about 1:1 to about 1:5,preferably from about 1:1 to about 1:2.

Other suitable types of emollients for use in the present inventioninclude polysiloxane compounds. In general suitable polysiloxanematerials for use in the present invention include those havingmonomeric siloxane units of the following structure:

wherein, R₁ and R₂, for each independent siloxane monomeric unit caneach independently be hydrogen or any alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, alkaryl,arakyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated hydrocarbon, or other radical. Any ofsuch radicals can be substituted or unsubstituted. R₁ and R₂ radicals ofany particular monomeric unit may differ from the correspondingfunctionalities of the next adjoining monomeric unit. Additionally, thepolysiloxane can be either a straight chain, a branched chain or have acyclic structure. The radicals R₁ and R₂ can additionally independentlybe other silaceous functionalities such as, but not limited tosiloxanes, polysiloxanes, silanes, and polysilanes. The radicals R₁ andR₂ may contain any of a variety of organic functionalities including,for example, alcohol, carboxylic acid, phenyl, and aminefunctionalities.

Exemplary alkyl radicals are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, octyl, decyl, octadecyl, and the like. Exemplary alkenyl radicalsare vinyl, allyl, and the like. Exemplary aryl radicals are phenyl,diphenyl, naphthyl, and the like. Exemplary alkaryl radicals are toyl,xylyl, ethylphenyl, and the like. Exemplary aralkyl radicals are benzyl,alpha-phenylethyl, beta-phenylethyl, alpha-phenylbutyl, and the like.Exemplary cycloalkyl radicals are cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,and the like. Exemplary halogenated hydrocarbon radicals arechloromethyl, bromoethyl, tetrafluorethyl, fluorethyl, trifluorethyl,trifluorotloyl, hexafluoroxylyl, and the like.

Viscosity of polysiloxanes useful may vary as widely as the viscosity ofpolysiloxanes in general vary, so long as the polysiloxane is flowableor can be made to be flowable for application to the article topsheet.This includes, but is not limited to, viscosity as low as 5 centistokes(at 37° C. as measured by a glass viscometer) to about 20,000,000centistokes. Preferably the polysiloxanes have a viscosity at 37° C.ranging from about 5 to about 5,000 centistokes, more preferably fromabout 5 to about 2,000 centistokes, most preferably from about 100 toabout 1000 centistokes. High viscosity polysiloxanes which themselvesare resistant to flowing can be effectively deposited upon the articletopsheets by such methods as, for example, emulsifying the polysiloxanein surfactant or providing the polysiloxane in solution with the aid ofa solvent, such as hexane, listed for exemplary purposes only.Particular methods for applying polysiloxane emollients to articletopsheets are discussed in more detail hereinafter.

Preferred polysiloxanes compounds for use in the present invention aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,282 (Ampulski et al), issued Oct. 22,1991, which is incorporated herein by reference. Particularly preferredpolysiloxane compounds for use as emollients in the lotion compositionsof the present invention include phenyl-functional polymethylsiloxanecompounds (e.g., Dow Corning 556 Cosmetic-Grade Fluid:polyphenylmethylsiloxane) and cetyl or stearyl functionalizeddimethicones such as Dow 2502 and Dow 2503 polysiloxane fluids,respectively. In addition to such substitution with phenyl-functional oralkyl groups, effective substitution may be made with amino, carboxyl,hydroxyl, ether, polyether, aldehyde, ketone, amide, ester, and thiolgroups. Of these effective substituent groups, the family of groupscomprising phenyl, amino, alkyl, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups are morepreferred than the others; and phenyl-functional groups are mostpreferred.

Besides petroleum-based emollients, fatty acid ester emollients, fattyacid ester ethoxylates, alkyl ethoxylate emollients fatty alcoholemollients, and polysiloxanes, the emollients useful in the presentinvention can include minor amounts (e.g., up to about 10% of the totalemollient) of other, conventional emollients. These other, conventionalemollients include propylene glycol, glycerine, triethylene glycol,spermaceti or other waxes, fatty acids, and fatty alcohol ethers havingfrom 12 to 28 carbon atoms in their fatty chain, such as stearic acid,propoxylated fatty alcohols; glycerides, acetoglycerides, andethoxylated glycerides of C₁₂-C₂₈ fatty acids; other fatty esters ofpolyhydroxy alcohols; lanolin and its derivatives. These otheremollients should be included in a manner such that the solid orsemisolid characteristics of the lotion composition are maintained.

The amount of emollient that can be included in the lotion compositionwill depend on a variety of factors, including the particular emollientinvolved, the lotion-like benefits desired, the other components in thelotion composition and like factors. The lotion composition can comprisefrom about 10 to about 95% of the emollient. Preferably, the lotioncomposition comprises from about 20 to about 80%, most preferably fromabout 40 to about 75%, of the emollient.

2. Immobilizing Agent

An especially key component of the lotion compositions of the presentinvention is an agent capable of immobilizing the emollient on thearticle topsheet to which the lotion composition is applied. Because theemollient in the composition has a plastic or fluid consistency at 20°C., it tends to flow or migrate, even when subjected to modest shear.When applied to an article topsheet, especially in a melted or moltenstate, the emollient will not remain primarily on the surface of thetopsheet. Instead, the emollient will tend to migrate and flow into theinterior of the article.

This migration of the emollient into the interior of the article cancause undesired effects on the absorbency of the article core due to thehydrophobic characteristics of many of the emollients used in the lotioncompositions of the present invention. It also means that much moreemollient has to be applied to the article topsheet to get the desiredtherapeutic or protective lotion benefits. Increasing the level ofemollient not only increases the cost, but also exacerbates theundesirable effect on the absorbency of the article core.

The immobilizing agent counteracts this tendency of the emollient tomigrate or flow by keeping the emollient primarily localized on thesurface of the article topsheet to which the lotion composition isapplied. This is believed to be due, in part, to the fact that theimmobilizing agent raises the melting point of the lotion compositionabove that of the emollient. Since the immobilizing agent is alsomiscible with the emollient (or solubilized in the emollient with theaid of an appropriate emulsifier), it entraps the emollient on thesurface of the article topsheet as well.

It is also advantageous to “lock” the immobilizing agent on the surfaceof the article topsheet. This can be accomplished by using immobilizingagents which quickly crystallize (i.e., solidify) at the surface of thetopsheet. In addition, outside cooling of the treated article topsheetvia blowers, fans, etc. can speed up crystallization of the immobilizingagent.

In addition to being miscible with (or solubilized in) the emollient,the immobilizing agent needs to have a melting point of at least about35° C. This is so the immobilizing agent itself will not have a tendencyto migrate or flow. Preferred immobilizing agents will have meltingpoints of at least about 40° C. Typically, the immobilizing agent willhave a melting point in the range of from about 50° to about 150° C.

Suitable immobilizing agents for the present invention can comprise amember selected from the group consisting of C₁₄-C₂₂ fatty alcohols,C₁₂-C₂₂ fatty acids, and C₁₂-C₂₂ fatty alcohol ethoxylates having anaverage degree of ethoxylation ranging from 2 to about 30, and mixturesthereof. Preferred immobilizing agents include C₁₆-C₁₈ fatty alcohols,most preferably selected from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol,stearyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof. Mixtures of cetyl alcohol andstearyl alcohol are particularly preferred. Other preferred immobilizingagents include C₁₆-C₁₈ fatty acids, most preferably selected from thegroup consisting of palmitic acid, stearic acid, and mixtures thereof.Mixtures of palmitic acid and stearic acid are particularly preferred.Still other preferred immobilizing agents include C₁₆-C₁₈ fatty alcoholethoxylates having an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from about5 to about 20. Preferably, the fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fattyalcohols are linear.

Importantly, these preferred immobilizing agents such as the C₁₆-C₁₈fatty alcohols increase the rate of crystallization of the lotioncausing the lotion to crystallize rapidly onto the surface of thesubstrate. Lower lotion levels can therefore be utilized or a superiorlotion feel can be delivered. Traditionally, greater amounts of lotionwere needed to generate softness because of the flow of these liquidsinto the article core.

Other types of immobilizing agents can be used either alone or incombination with the fatty alcohols, fatty acids, and fatty alcoholethoxylates described above. Examples of these other types ofimmobilizing agents includes polyhydroxy fatty acid esters, polyhydroxyfatty acid amides, and mixtures thereof. Preferred esters and amideswill have three or more free hydroxy groups on the polyhydroxy moietyand are typically nonionic in character. Because of the possible skinsensitivity of those using article topsheets to which the lotioncomposition is applied, these esters and amides should also berelatively mild and non-irritating to the skin.

Suitable polyhydroxy fatty acid esters for use in the present inventionwill have the formula:

wherein R is a C₅-C₃₁ hydrocarbyl group, preferably straight chainC₇-C₁₉ alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably straight chain C₉-C₁₇ alkyl oralkenyl, most preferably straight chain C₁₁-C₁₇ alkyl or alkenyl, ormixture thereof; Y is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl moiety having ahydrocarbyl chain with at least 2 free hydroxyls directly connected tothe chain; and n is at least 1. Suitable Y groups can be derived frompolyols such as glycerol, pentaerythritol; sugars such as raffinose,maltodextrose, galactose, sucrose, glucose, xylose, fructose, maltose,lactose, mannose and erythrose; sugar alcohols such as erythritol,xylitol, malitol, mannitol and sorbitol; and anhydrides of sugaralcohols such as sorbitan.

One class of suitable polyhydroxy fatty acid esters for use in thepresent invention comprises certain sorbitan esters, preferably thesorbitan esters of C₁₆-C₂₂ saturated fatty acids. Because of the mannerin which they are typically manufactured, these sorbitan esters usuallycomprise mixtures of mono-, di-, tri-, etc. esters. Representativeexamples of suitable sorbitan esters include sorbitan palmitates (e.g.,SPAN 40), sorbitan stearates (e.g., SPAN 60), and sorbitan behenates,that comprise one or more of the mono-, di- and tri-ester versions ofthese sorbitan esters, e.g., sorbitan mono-, di- and tri-palmitate,sorbitan mono-, di- and tri-stearate, sorbitan mono-, di andtri-behenate, as well as mixed tallow fatty acid sorbitan mono-, di- andtri-esters. Mixtures of different sorbitan esters can also be used, suchas sorbitan palmitates with sorbitan stearates. Particularly preferredsorbitan esters are the sorbitan stearates, typically as a mixture ofmono-, di- and tri-esters (plus some tetraester) such as SPAN 60, andsorbitan stearates sold under the trade name GLYCOMUL-S by Lonza, Inc.Although these sorbitan esters typically contain mixtures of mono-, di-and tri-esters, plus some tetraester, the mono- and di-esters areusually the predominant species in these mixtures.

Another class of suitable polyhydroxy fatty acid esters for use in thepresent invention comprises certain glyceryl monoesters, preferablyglyceryl monoesters of C₁₆-C₂₂ saturated fatty acids such as glycerylmonostearate, glyceryl monopalmitate, and glyceryl monobehenate. Again,like the sorbitan esters, glyceryl monoester mixtures will typicallycontain some di- and triester. However, such mixtures should containpredominantly the glyceryl monoester species to be useful in the presentinvention.

Another class of suitable polyhydroxy fatty acid esters for use in thepresent invention comprise certain sucrose fatty acid esters, preferablythe C₁₂-C₂₂ saturated fatty acid esters of sucrose. Sucrose monoestersand diesters are particularly preferred and include sucrose mono- anddi-stearate and sucrose mono- and di-laurate.

Suitable polyhydroxy fatty acid amides for use in the present inventionwill have the formula:

wherein R¹ is H, C₁-C₄ hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxyethyl. 2-hydroxypropyl,methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl or a mixture thereof, preferably C₁-C₄alkyl, methoxyethyl or methoxypropyl, more preferably C₁ or C₂ alkyl ormethoxypropyl, most preferably C₁alkyl (i.e., methyl) or methoxypropyl;and R² is a C₅-C₃₁ hydrocarbyl group, preferably straight chain C₇-C₁₉alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably straight chain C₉-C₁₇ alkyl oralkenyl, most preferably straight chain C₁₁-C₁₇ alkyl or alkenyl, ormixture thereof; and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl moiety having alinear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected tothe chain. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,927 (Honsa), issued Dec. 29, 1992(herein incorporated by reference) which discloses these polyhydroxyfatty acid amides, as well as their preparation.

The Z moiety preferably will be derived from a reducing sugar in areductive amination reaction; most preferably glycityl. Suitablereducing sugars include glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose,mannose, and xylose. High dextrose corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup,and high maltose corn syrup can be utilized, as well as the individualsugars listed above. These corn syrups can yield mixtures of sugarcomponents for the Z moiety.

The Z moiety preferably will be selected from the group consisting of—CH₂—(CHOH)_(n)—CH₂OH, —CH(CH₂OH)—[(CHOH)_(n-1)]—CH₂OH,—CH₂OH—CH₂—(CHOH)₂(CHOR³)(CHOH)—CH₂OH, where n is an integer from 3 to5, and R³ is H or a cyclic or aliphatic monosaccharide. Most preferredare the glycityls where n is 4, particularly —CH₂—(CHOH)₄—CH₂OH.

In the above formula, R¹ can be, for example, N-methyl, N-ethyl,N-propyl, N-isopropyl, N-butyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl, N-methoxypropyl orN-2-hydroxypropyl, R² can be selected to provide, for example,cocamides, stearamides, oleamides, lauramides, myristamides,capricamides, palmitamides, tallowamides, etc. The Z moiety can be1-deoxyglucityl, 2-deoxyfructityl, 1-deoxymaltityl, 1-deoxylactityl,1-deoxygalactityl, 1-deoxymannityl, 1-deoxymaltotriotityl, etc.

The most preferred polyhydroxy fatty acid amides have the generalformula:

wherein R¹ is methyl or methoxypropyl; R² is a C₁₁-C₁₇ straight-chainalkyl or alkenyl group. These include N-lauryl-N-methyl glucamide,N-lauryl-N-methoxypropyl glucamide, N-cocoyl-N-methyl glucamide,N-cocoyl-N-methoxypropyl glucamide, N-palmityl-N-methoxypropylglucamide, N-tallowyl-N-methyl glucamide, or N-tallowyl-N-methoxypropylglucamide.

As previously noted, some of the immobilizing agents require anemulsifier for solubilization in the emollient. This is particularly thecase for certain of the glucamides such as the N-alkyl-N-methoxypropylglucamides having HLB values of at least about 7. Suitable emulsifierswill typically include those having HLB values below about 7. In thisregard, the sorbitan esters previously described, such as the sorbitanstearates, having HLB values of about 4.9 or less have been found usefulin solubilizing these glucamide immobilizing agents in petrolatum. Othersuitable emulsifiers include steareth-2 (polyethylene glycol ethers ofstearyl alcohol that conform to the formula CH₃(CH₂)₁₇(OCH₂CH₂)_(n)OH,where n has an average value of 2), sorbitan tristearate, isosorbidelaurate, and glyceryl monostearate. The emulsifier can be included in anamount sufficient to solubilize the immobilizing agent in the emollientsuch that a substantially homogeneous mixture is obtained. For example,an approximately 1:1 mixture of N-cocoyl-N-methyl glucamide andpetrolatum that will normally not melt into a single phase mixture, willmelt into a single phase mixture upon the addition of 20% of a 1:1mixture of Steareth-2 and sorbitan tristearate as the emulsifier.

Other types of ingredients that can be used as immobilizing agents,either alone, or in combination with the above-mentioned immobilizingagents, include waxes such as carnauba, beeswax, candelilla, paraffin,ceresin, esparto, ouricuri, rezowax, and other known waxes. Preferablythe wax is a paraffin wax. An example of a particularly preferredparaffin wax is Parrafin S.P. 434 from Strahl and Pitsch Inc. P.O. Box1098 West Babylon, N.Y. 11704.

The amount of immobilizing agent that should be included in the lotioncomposition will depend on a variety of factors, including theparticular emollient involved, the particular immobilizing agentinvolved, whether an emulsifier is required to solubilize theimmobilizing agent in the emollient, the other components in the lotioncomposition and like factors. The lotion composition can comprise fromabout 5 to about 90% of the immobilizing agent. Preferably, the lotioncomposition comprises from about 5 to about 50%, most preferably fromabout 10 to about 40%, of the immobilizing agent.

3. Optional Hydrophilic Surfactant

As mentioned above, it is highly desirable that the article topsheet ismade of a hydrophilic material to promote rapid transfer of liquids(e.g., urine) through the topsheet. Similarly, it is important that thelotion composition also be sufficiently wettable to ensure that liquidswill transfer through the topsheet more rapidly. This diminishes thelikelihood that body exudates will flow off the lotion coating ratherthan being drawn through the topsheet and being absorbed by theabsorbent core. Depending upon the particular immobilizing agent used inthe lotion composition of the present invention, an additionalhydrophilic surfactant (or a mixture of hydrophilic surfactants) may, ormay not, be required to improve wettability. For example, someimmobilizing agents, such as N-cocoyl-N-methoxypropyl glucamide have HLBvalues of at least about 7 and are sufficiently wettable without theaddition of hydrophilic surfactant. Other immobilizing agents such asthe C₁₆-C₁₈ fatty alcohols having HLB values below about 7 will requireaddition of hydrophilic surfactant to improve wettability when thelotion composition is applied to article topsheets. Similarly, ahydrophobic emollient such as petrolatum will require the addition of ahydrophilic surfactant.

Suitable hydrophilic surfactants will be miscible with the emollient andthe immobilizing agent so as to form homogeneous mixtures. Because ofpossible skin sensitivity of those using disposable absorbent productsto which the lotion composition is applied, these surfactants shouldalso be relatively mild and non-irritating to the skin. Typically, thesehydrophilic surfactants are nonionic to be not only non-irritating tothe skin, but also to avoid other undesirable effects on any underlyingtissue laminate structure, e.g., reductions in tensile strength.

Suitable nonionic surfactants may be substantially nonmigratory afterthe lotion composition is applied to the article topsheets and willtypically have HLB values in the range of from about 4 to about 20,preferably from about 7 to about 20. To be nonmigratory, these nonionicsurfactants will typically have melt temperatures greater than thetemperatures commonly encountered during storage, shipping,merchandising, and use of disposable absorbent products, e.g., at leastabout 30° C. In this regard, these nonionic surfactants will preferablyhave melting points similar to those of the immobilizing agentspreviously described.

Suitable nonionic surfactants for use in lotion compositions of thepresent invention include alkylglycosides; alkylglycoside ethers asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,389 (Langdon, et al), issued Mar. 8,1977; alkylpolyethoxylated esters such as Pegosperse 1000MS (availablefrom Lonza, Inc., Fair Lawn, N.J.), ethoxylated sorbitan mono-, di-and/or tri-esters of C₁₂-C₁₈ fatty acids having an average degree ofethoxylation of from about 2 to about 20, preferably from about 2 toabout 10, such as TWEEN 60 (sorbitan esters of stearic acid having anaverage degree of ethoxylation of about 20) and TWEEN 61 (sorbitanesters of stearic acid having an average degree of ethoxylation of about4), and the condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with from about1 to about 54 moles of ethylene oxide. The alkyl chain of the aliphaticalcohol is typically in a straight chain (linear) configuration andcontains from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms. Particularly preferredare the condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl groupcontaining from about 11 to about 22 carbon atoms with from about 2 toabout 30 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Examples of suchethoxylated alcohols include the condensation products of myristylalcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, thecondensation products of coconut alcohol (a mixture of fatty alcoholshaving alkyl chains varying in length from 10 to 14 carbon atoms) withabout 6 moles of ethylene oxide. A number of suitable ethoxylatedalcohols are commercially available, including TERGITOL 15-S-9 (thecondensation product of C₁₁-C₁₅ linear alcohols with 9 moles of ethyleneoxide), marketed by Union Carbide Corporation; KYRO EOB (condensationproduct of C₁₃-C₁₅ linear alcohols with 9 moles of ethylene oxide),marketed by The Procter & Gamble Co., the NEODOL brand name surfactantsmarketed by Shell Chemical Co., in particular NEODOL 25-12 (condensationproduct of C₁₂-C₁₅ linear alcohols with 12 moles of ethylene oxide) andNEODOL 23-6.5T (condensation product of C₁₂-C₁₃ linear alcohols with 6.5moles of ethylene oxide that has been distilled (topped) to removecertain impurities), and especially the PLURAFAC brand name surfactantsmarketed by BASF Corp., in particular PLURAFAC A-38 (a condensationproduct of a C₁₈ straight chain alcohol with 27 moles of ethyleneoxide). (Certain of the hydrophilic surfactants, in particularethoxylated alcohols such as NEODOL 25-12, can also function as alkylethoxylate emollients). Other examples of preferred ethoxylated alcoholsurfactants include ICI's class of Brij surfactants and mixturesthereof, with Brij 72 (i.e., Steareth-2) and Brij 76 (i.e., Steareth-10)being especially preferred. Also, mixtures of cetyl alcohol and stearylalcohol ethoxylated to an average degree of ethoxylation of from about10 to about 20 may also be used as the hydrophilic surfactant.

Another type of suitable surfactant for use in the present inventionincludes Aerosol OT, a dioctyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinic acidmarketed by American Cyanamid Company.

Still another type of suitable surfactant for use in the presentinvention includes silicone copolymers such as General Electric SF 1188(a copolymer of a polydimethylsiloxane and a polyoxyalkylene ether) andGeneral Electric SF 1228 (a silicone polyether copolymer). Thesesilicone surfactants can be used in combination with the other types ofhydrophilic surfactants discussed above, such as the ethoxylatedalcohols. These silicone surfactants have been found to be effective atconcentrations as low as 0.1%, more preferably from about 0.25 to about1.0%, by weight of the lotion composition.

The amount of hydrophilic surfactant required to increase thewettability of the lotion composition to a desired level will dependupon the HLB value and level of immobilizing agent used, the HLB valueof the surfactant used and like factors. The lotion composition cancomprise from about 1 to about 50% of the hydrophilic surfactant whenneeded to increase the wettability properties of the composition.Preferably, the lotion composition comprises from about 1 to about 25%,most preferably from about 10 to about 20%, of the hydrophilicsurfactant when needed to increase wettability.

4. Other Optional Components

Lotion compositions can comprise other optional components typicallypresent in emollient, creams, and lotions of this type. These optionalcomponents include water, viscosity modifiers, perfumes, disinfectantantibacterial actives, pharmaceutical actives, film formers, deodorants,opacifiers, astringents, solvents and the like. In addition, stabilizerscan be added to enhance the shelf life of the lotion composition such ascellulose derivatives, proteins and lecithin. All of these materials arewell known in the art as additives for such formulations and can beemployed in appropriate amounts in the lotion compositions of thepresent invention.

C. Treating Article Topsheets With Lotion Composition

In preparing lotioned products according to the present invention, thelotion composition is applied to the outer surface (i.e., body facingsurface) of a article topsheet. Any of a variety of application methodsthat evenly distribute lubricious materials having a molten or liquidconsistency can be used. Suitable methods include spraying, printing(e.g., flexographic printing), coating (e.g., gravure coating),extrusion, or combinations of these application techniques, e.g.spraying the lotion composition on a rotating surface, such as acalender roll, that then transfers the composition to the outer surfaceof the article topsheet.

The manner of applying the lotion composition to the article topsheetshould be such that the topsheet does not become saturated with thelotion composition. If the topsheet becomes saturated with the lotioncomposition, there is a greater potential for the lotion to block thetopsheet openings, reducing the ability of the topsheet to transmitfluid to the underlying absorbent core. Also, saturation of the topsheetis not required to obtain the therapeutic and/or protective lotionbenefits. Particularly suitable application methods will apply thelotion composition primarily to the outer surface of the articletopsheet.

The minimum level of lotion to be applied to the article topsheets is anamount effective for reducing the adherence of BM to the skin and/orproviding a skin benefit to the wearer. The level of lotion applied willdepend on various factors, including the relative amount of surface areaof the topsheet not treated with lotion, the lotion composition and thelike. In general, with lotion compositions that are relativelyhydrophobic and are to be applied to essentially all of the topsheet,the lotion is preferably applied to the article topsheet in an amountranging from about 0.1 mg/in² to about 15 mg/in². It will be recognizedthat for lotions that are relatively hydrophilic, higher add-on levelsmay be used without adversely impacting fluid handling properties of thetopsheet to an unacceptable degree. Because the emollient issubstantially immobilized on the surface of the topsheet, less lotioncomposition, is needed to impart the desired skin care benefits. Suchrelatively low levels of lotion composition are adequate to impart thedesired therapeutic and/or protective lotion benefits to the topsheet,yet do not saturate the topsheet's absorbency and/or wettabilityproperties.

The lotion composition may be applied to the entire surface of thetopsheet or portions thereof. In one embodiment, the lotion compositionis applied in a stripe aligned with and centered on the longitudinalcenterline of the disposable absorbent article. In this embodiment, asdescribed in the Examples hereinafter, the lotion composition ispreferably applied to a discrete version of the topsheet, e.g., a 3.75inch wide (article lateral direction) and 7 inch long (articlelongitudinal direction) patch generally disposed toward the second waistregion.

As discussed, the lotion composition can also be applied nonuniformly tothe outer surface of the article topsheet. By “nonuniform” it is meantthat the amount, location, pattern of distribution, etc. of the lotioncomposition can vary over the topsheet surface. For example, someportions of the treated surface of the topsheet can have greater orlesser amounts of lotion composition, including portions of the surfacethat do not have any lotion composition on it. In a preferredembodiment, the surface of the topsheet will have regions where nolotion is applied, particularly in areas of the topsheet that correspondto the crotch region of the article. As used herein, the crotch regionof the article is the rectangle, defined below, that is centeredlongitudinally and laterally about the article's crotch point. The“crotch point” is determined by placing the article on a wearer in astanding position and then placing an extensible filament around thelegs in a figure eight configuration. The point in the articlecorresponding to the point of intersection of the filament is deemed tobe the crotch point of the article. It is understood that the crotchpoint is determined by placing the absorbent article on a wearer in theintended manner and determining where the crossed filament would contactthe article. The length of the crotch region corresponds to 40% of theabsorbent article's total length (i.e., in the y-dimension). The widthof the crotch region is equivalent to the width of the widest absorbentcore component as measured at the crotch point. (As used herein,“absorbent core” components are those materials involved with acquiring,transporting, distributing and/or storing body fluids. As such, the termabsorbent core does not include the topsheet or backsheet of theabsorbent article.) By way of illustration, for an article having alength of 20 in. and a core width at the crotch point of 4 in., thecrotch region is the rectangle, centered on the crotch point, having alength of 8 in. and a width of 4 in.

For certain lotion compositions (e.g., those that are hydrophobic),these untreated regions further facilitate liquid passage through thetopsheet and into the absorbent core. Surprisingly, while the topsheetis treated nonuniformly (e.g., the topsheet has microscopic ormacroscopic regions where no lotion is applied), during wear of thearticle, lotion is transferred to the wearer even in regions of the skincorresponding to non-lotion regions of the topsheet. The amount anduniformity of lotion transferred to the skin is believed to depend onseveral factors, including, for example, contact of the wearer's skin tothe topsheet, friction created during wear time between the wearer'sskin and the treated topsheet, warmth generated from wearer to enhancethe transfer of the lotion, the lotion properties, lotion composition,and the like.

Where the lotion is applied nonuniformly, any lotion pattern may beutilized, including, for example, application of small droplets(obtained via, e.g., spraying) discrete dots (obtained via, e.g.,gravure printing), stripes that run in the longitudinal or lateraldirection of the article, etc. In those embodiments where the topsheetcomprises discrete, untreated regions, the percent open area of theregion of the topsheet that corresponds to the crotch region of thearticle can vary widely. (As referred to herein, the “percent open area”of the topsheet is determined by (i) measuring the surface area of thetopsheet that overlies the crotch region, (ii) measuring the totalsurface area of the untreated region(s) in this portion of the topsheetand (iii) dividing the measurement in (ii) by the measurement in (i). Asused herein, “untreated” means a region of the topsheet having less thanabout 0.07 mg/in². In this regard, the percent open area may be fromabout 1% to about 99%, from about 5% to about 95%, from about 10% toabout 90%, from about 15% to about 85%, from about 20% to about 80%,from about 25% to about 75%, from about 30% to about 70%, or from about35% to about 65%. The percent open area required to achieve the desiredlotion effect and the desired fluid handling properties of the topsheetwill be dictated largely by the characteristics of the lotion (inparticular the lotion's composition and its relativehydrophobicity/hydrophilicy properties).

In general, with lotion compositions that are relatively hydrophobic andare to be applied such that regions of the topsheet are not coated withlotion, the lotion is preferably applied to the article topsheet in anamount ranging from about 0.1 mg/in² to about 35 mg/in². It will berecognized that for lotions that are relatively hydrophilic, higheradd-on levels may be used without adversely impacting fluid handlingproperties of the topsheet to an unacceptable degree. Of course, forarticles having relatively high percent open areas in the crotch,greater add-on levels may be obtainable without adversely affectingfluid handling by the topsheet.

In one preferred embodiment, the topsheet comprises stripes of lotionthat run in the article's longitudinal direction. These longitudinalstripes of lotion are separated by longitudinal stripes where little orno lotion is applied to the topsheet. In these embodiments, each lotionstripe will typically have a width of from about 0.1 in. to about 0.75in., more typically from about about 0.1 in. to about 0.5 in., and thewidth of the stripes containing no lotion will typically be from about0.1 in. to about 1 in., more typically from about 0.15 to about 0.5 in.

The lotion composition can be applied to the topsheet at any pointduring assembly. For example, the lotion composition can be applied tothe topsheet of the finished disposable absorbent product before it hasbeen packaged. The lotion composition can also be applied to thetopsheet before it is combined with the other raw materials to form afinished disposable absorbent product.

The lotion composition is typically applied from a melt thereof to thearticle topsheet. Since the lotion composition melts at significantlyabove ambient temperatures, it is usually applied as a heated coating tothe topsheet. Typically, the lotion composition is heated to atemperature in the range from about 350 to about 100° C., preferablyfrom 400 to about 90° C., prior to being applied to the articletopsheet. Once the melted lotion composition has been applied to thearticle topsheet, it is allowed to cool and solidify to form solidifiedcoating or film on the surface of the topsheet. Preferably, theapplication process is designed to aid in the cooling/set up of thelotion.

In applying lotion compositions of the present invention to articletopsheets, spraying, gravure coating and extrusion coating methods arepreferred. FIG. 1 illustrates one such preferred method involvingspraying of the coating on the article topsheet before the topsheet isassembled with the other raw materials into a finished product.Referring to FIG. 1, a nonwoven topsheet web 1 is unwound from parenttopsheet roll 2 (rotating in the direction indicated by arrow 2 a) andadvanced to spray station 6 where one side of the web is sprayed with ahot, molten (e.g., 65° C.) lotion composition. After leaving spraystation 6, nonwoven topsheet web 1 becomes a lotioned topsheet webindicated by 3. Lotioned topsheet web 3 is then advanced around turningroll 4 and turning roll 8, and then wound up on lotioned topsheet parentroll 10 (rotating in the direction indicated by arrow 10 a).

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative preferred method involving continuousor intermittent spraying of the lotion composition on to a articletopsheet during the converting operation. Referring to FIG. 2, conveyorbelt 1 advances in the direction shown by the arrows on turning rolls 3and 4 and becomes returning conveyor belt 2. Conveyor belt 1 carriesnonlotioned article 5 to spray station 6 where topsheet patch 7 issprayed with a hot, molten (e.g., 65° C.) lotion composition. Afterleaving spray station 6, nonlotioned article 5 becomes lotioned article8 having a lotioned topsheet. The amount of lotion compositiontransferred to topsheet patch 7 is controlled by: (1) the rate at whichthe molten lotion composition is sprayed from spray station 6; and/or(2) the speed at which conveyor belt 1 travels under spray station 6.

Specific Illustrations of the Preparation of Lotioned Article TopsheetsAccording to the Present Invention

The following are specific illustrations of treating article topsheetswith lotion compositions in accordance with the present invention:

EXAMPLE 1

A. Preparation of Lotion Compositions

A water free lotion composition (Lotion A) is made by mixing thefollowing melted (i.e., liquid) components together: Mineral Oil(Carnation White Mineral Oil, USP made by Witco Corp.), Cetearyl Alcohol(a mixed linear C₁₆-C₁₈ primary alcohol made by the Procter & GambleCompany under the name TA-1618); Steareth-2 (Brij 72, a C₁₈ linearalcohol ethoxylate having an average degree of ethoxylation of 2, madeby ICI America). The weight percentages of these components are shown inTable I below:

TABLE I Component Weight % Mineral Oil 50 Cetearyl Alcohol 35 Steareth-215B. Preparation of Lotioned Article Topsheet by Hot Melt Spraying

Lotion Composition A is placed into a heated tank operating at atemperature of 170° F. The composition is subsequently applied with acontact applicator (using, for example, a Meltex EP45 hot melt adhesiveapplicator head having 5 slots and operating at a temperature of 170°F.) onto the topsheet of an article in a striped pattern where thestripes run in the article's longitudinal direction. Specifically, 5stripes are applied, each stripe measuring 0.25 in. wide (i.e., in thearticles lateral direction) and 11.75 in. long at an add-on level=0.0077g/in² (12 g/m²). The distance between the stripes is 0.31 in.

EXAMPLE 2

The lotion composition A (prepared in accordance with the procedure inExample I) is subsequently sprayed onto the topsheet of a article in a3.75 inch wide (article lateral direction) stripe centered on thelongitudinal centerline and extending the entire length of the product.Add-on level=0.006 g/in² (9.3 g/m²).

EXAMPLE 3

The lotion composition A (prepared in accordance with the procedure inExample 1) is subsequently sprayed onto the topsheet of a article in a3.75 inch wide (article lateral direction) stripe centered on thelongitudinal centerline and 7 inch long (article longitudinal direction)area, the patch beginning 1 inch forward of the lateral centerline andextending toward the rear of the product. Add-on level=0.003 g/in² (4.65g/m²).

EXAMPLE 4

A. Preparation of Lotion Compositions

A water free lotion composition (Lotion B) is made by mixing thefollowing melted (i.e., liquid) components together: Mineral Oil(Carnation White Mineral Oil, USP made by Witco Corp.), and CetearylAlcohol (a mixed linear C₁₆-C₁₈ primary alcohol made by the Procter &Gamble Company under the name TA-1618). The weight percentages of thesecomponents are shown in Table II below:

TABLE II Component Weight % Mineral Oil 65 Cetearyl Alcohol 35B. Preparation of Lotioned Tissue by Hot Melt Spraying

Lotion Composition B is placed into a heated tank operating at atemperature of 125° F. The composition is subsequently sprayed (using aDynatec E84B1758 spray head, operating at a temperature of 165° F. andan atomization pressure of 2.40 psig) onto the topsheet of a article ina 3.75 inch wide (article lateral direction) and 7 inch long (articlelongitudinal direction) area, the patch beginning 1 inch forward of thelateral centerline and extending toward the rear of the product. Add-onlevel=0.006 g/in² (9.3 g/m²).

EXAMPLE 5

A. Preparation of Lotion Composition

A water free lotion composition (Lotion C) is made by mixing thefollowing melted (i.e., liquid) components together: White Protopet® 1S(white petrolatum made by Witco Corp.), Cetearyl Alcohol (a mixed linearC₁₆-C₁₈ primary alcohol made by the Procter & Gamble Company under thename TA-1618); Steareth-2 (Brij 762, a C₁₈ linear alcohol ethoxylatehaving an average degree of ethoxylation of 2 made by ICI America). Theweight percentages of these components are shown in Table I below:

A water free lotion composition (Lotion C) is made by mixing togetherthe following melted (i.e., liquid) components in the weight percentagesshown in the Table III below according to the procedure of Example 2:

TABLE III Component Weight % WhiteProtopet ® 50 1S Cetearyl Alcohol 35Steareth-2 15B. Preparation of Lotioned Tissue by Hot Melt Spraying

Lotion Composition C is placed into a heated tank operating at atemperature of 125° F. The composition is subsequently sprayed (using aDynatec E84B1758 spray head, operating at a temperature of 165° F. andan atomization pressure of 2.40 psig) onto the topsheet of a article ina 3.75 inch wide (article lateral direction) and 7 inch long (articlelongitudinal direction) area, the patch beginning 1 inch forward of thelateral centerline and extending toward the rear of the product. Add-onlevel=0.006 g/in² (9.3 g/m²).

EXAMPLE 6

A. Preparation of Lotion Composition

A water free lotion composition (Lotion D) is made by mixing thefollowing melted (i.e., liquid) components together: White Protopet® 1S(white petrolatum made by Witco Corp.); Dow Corning 556 Cosmetic GradeFluid (a polyphenylmethylsiloxane made by the Dow Corning Corporation),An example of a particularly preferred paraffin wax is Parrafin S.P. 434(a paraffin wax made by Strahl and Pitsch Inc.); Cetearyl Alcohol (amixed linear C₁₆-C₁₈ primary alcohol made by the Procter & GambleCompany under the name TA-1618); PEG 2000 (a polyethylene glycol havinga MW of 2000 made by Sigma-Aldrich Corp). The weight percentages ofthese components are shown in Table IV below:

TABLE IV Component Weight % WhiteProtopet ® 52 1S Polyphenylmethyl- 20siloxane Paraffin Wax 15 Cetearyl Alcohol 10 PEG 2000 3B. Preparation of Lotioned Tissue by Hot Melt Spraying

Lotion Composition D is placed into a heated tank operating at atemperature of 150° F. The composition is subsequently sprayed (using aDynatec E84B1758 spray head, operating at a temperature of 170° F. andan atomization pressure of 2.40 psig) onto the topsheet of a article ina 3.75 inch wide (article lateral direction) and 7 inch long (articlelongitudinal direction) area, the patch beginning 1 inch forward of thelateral centerline and extending toward the rear of the product. Add-onlevel=0.006 g/in² (9.3 g/m²).

1. A disposable article comprising: A) a liquid impervious backsheet; B)a liquid pervious, hydrophilic topsheet joined to said backsheet, saidtopsheet having an inner surface oriented toward an interior of saidarticle and an outer surface oriented toward the skin of a wearer whensaid article is being worn, wherein at least a portion of said topsheetouter surface comprises an effective amount to reduce adherence of bowelmovements to the skin of the wearer of a lotion coating which issemi-solid or solid at 20° C. and which is partially transferable to thewearers skin, and C) an absorbent core position between said topsheetand said backsheet, wherein the lotion coating is applied to the liquidpervious topsheet in a pattern having a plurality of elements, eachhaving a predetermined size such that macroscopic regions of thetopsheet are untreated and the topsheet has a percent open area of fromabout 5% to about 99%.
 2. The disposable article of claim 1 wherein thepercent open area of the topsheet is from about 5% to about 95%.
 3. Thedisposable article of claim 2 wherein the percent open area of thetopsheet is from about 10% to about 90%.
 4. The disposable article ofclaim 3 wherein the percent open area of the topsheet is from about 20%to about 80%.
 5. The disposable article of claim 4 wherein the percentopen area of the topsheet is from about 30% to about 70%.
 6. Thedisposable article of claim 1 wherein the lotion coating comprises apetroleum based emollient selected from the group consisting of mineraloil, petrolatum, and mixtures thereof.
 7. The disposable article ofclaim 6 wherein said emollient is petrolatum.
 8. The disposable articleof claim 6 wherein said emollient is mineral oil.
 9. The disposablearticle of claim 6 wherein said lotion coating comprises an immobilizingagent, said immobilizing agent having a melting point of at least about40° C.
 10. A disposable article comprising: A) a liquid imperviousbacksheet; B) a liquid pervious, hydrophilic topsheet joined to saidbacksheet, said topsheet having an inner surface oriented toward aninterior of said article and an outer surface oriented toward the skinof a wearer when said article is being worn, wherein at least a portionof said topsheet outer surface comprises an effective amount to reduceadherence of bowel movements to the skin of the wearer of a lotioncoating which is semi-solid or solid at 20° C. and which is partiallytransferable to the wearer's skin, said lotion coating comprising: i.from 10 to about 95% of a substantially water free emollient having aplastic or fluid consistency at 20° C. and comprising a member selectedfrom the group consisting of petroleum-based emollients, fatty acidester emollients, alkyl ethoxylate emollients, and mixtures thereof; ii.from about 5 to about 90% of an agent capable of immobilizing saidemollient on said outer surface of the topsheet, wherein saidimmobilizing agent has a melting point of at least about 35° C.; and C)an absorbent core position between said topsheet and said backsheet; D)wherein the lotion coating is applied of the liquid previous topsheet ina pattern having a plurality of elements, each having a predeterminedsize such that macroscopic regions of the topsheet are untreated and thetopsheet has a percent open area of from about 5% to about 99%.
 11. Thedisposable article of claim 10 wherein the percent open area of thetopsheet is from about 5% to about 95%.
 12. The disposable article ofclaim 11 wherein the percent open area of the topsheet is from about 10%to about 90%.
 13. The disposable article of claim 10 wherein saidemollient contains about 5% or less water and comprises a petroleumbased emollient selected from the group consisting of mineral oil,petrolatum, and mixtures thereof.
 14. The disposable article of claim 13wherein said emollient is petrolatum.
 15. The disposable article ofclaim 13 wherein said emollient is mineral oil.
 16. The disposablearticle of claim 10 wherein said lotion coating comprises from about 5to about 50% of said immobilizing agent said immobilizing agent having amelting point of at least about 40° C.
 17. The disposable article ofclaim 16 wherein said immobilizing agent comprises a polyhydroxy fattyacid ester having the formula:

wherein R is a C₅-C₃₁ hydrocarbyl group; Y is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbylmoiety having a hydrocarbyl chain with at least 2 free hydroxylsdirectly connected to the chain and n is at least
 1. 18. The disposablearticle of claim 16 wherein said immobilizing agent comprises apolyhydroxy fatty acid amide having the formula:

wherein R¹ is H, C₁-C₄ hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl,methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl or a mixture thereof; R² is a C₅-C₃₁hydrocarbyl group; and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl moiety having alinear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected tothe chain.
 19. The disposable article of claim 16 wherein saidimmobilizing agent comprises a paraffin wax.
 20. The disposable articleof claim 16 wherein said immobilizing agent comprises a C₁₄-C₂₂ fattyalcohol.
 21. The disposable article of claim 20 wherein saidimmobilizing agent comprises a C₁₆-C₁₈ fatty alcohol selected from thegroup consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and mixturesthereof.